The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-11
A FRIEND OF FREEDOM.

Rev. James Lemen and the Work He Did in
Keeping Slavery Out of the Northwest.
'Gaths" New York Letter.
A lady from Vinceunes. Ind, writes me as fol-
lows:
81 send you a scrap of history have in my
possession relating to this centennial year-the
passage of the Ordinance OF lTS7-that perhaps
you will be glad to utilize / find it recorded in
the funeral sermon of my grandfather, preached
twenty-f five years ago. 1t is a scrap of history
relating to my great grandfather, who came into
Illinois one hundred years ago from Virginia,
that he might raise his family on free soil.
REV. James Lemen, ST., before coming West
served two years in the Revolutionary army un-
der General Washington. He was made judge
of the Court of Common Pleas in Illinois. His
popular standing and influence were such that
General Harrison. then Governor of the North
western Territory, at one time saw fit to consult
him upon public affairs.
eff the truth must be told, the occasion was
some attempt to set aside the Ordinance of 1877,
and Harrison undertook to persuade him to lend
his aid in favor of the movement.
SIT is said that, like certain other tempter
Of whom we read, he showed him the whole land
and the glory of it, and pressed him with the
advantages that would result from throwing it
open to the introduction Of slavery. The infer
ence was not so obvious to one who had left
home account of slavery and the argument
had just the contrary effect.
HE replied in decided but respectful terms
that conscience. interest. everything he valued,
stood in the way of his compliance. There was
no more to be said, and it was owing to Mr.. Le-
mems firmness of character and uncompromis-
ing devotion to principle that Illinois, consecrat
ed to freedom by the Ordinance of 1887, held
out successfully against this and all similar at
| tempts to introduce slavery into it.
sin the distribution of bounty lands, after
ward made, he was curtailed one-half of his
rightful proportion. And his friends will always
believe he suffered this unjust forfeiture as the
price Of his integrity.
1.-The above extract have quoted word 70
word from the funeral sermon in my possession
see by looking at Greeleys history that Gen.
eral Harrison used mis- influence with the Legis-
lature to have the Ordinance of 1877 repealed
And he tells of a monster petition that was cir
culated to counteract the action Of the Legis-
lature.
''It was the work of Rev James Lemen, sr.
and other ministers that canvassed these Terri
tories through dangers unknown to secure this
petition. The Bible tells US the Christians are
the salt OF the earth. History is slow to award
them their just dues To the Christian minis
ters, and especially to the Baptist ministers do
the States comprising once the Northwestern
Territories owe their freedom and their growth.
Designing politicians, who work for the present
and for self were overcome by these cody men,
and it should be pleasure to us to dig up these
diamonds and set them in their right place in
history.
II also find in this sermon the history of the
oldest Baptist Church in Illinois organized while
4
| State; it was the Bethel Church, located in St.
! Clair county, Illinois. From the records of the
church it appears that there were five other Bap-
fist churches in the State at the time of it's or
| ganization all of which now extinct. So that
Bethel Church is now the oldest Baptist and,
| it is supposed, oldest Protestant church in the
whole State. The history of its origin is inter
| esting more accounts than one, and throws
| some light on the slavery question in those
days
The Richland-creek Church was already d.
| vided il sentiments on the subject when a SER
mon by Rev. James Lemen. ST., who ever failed
To enter his protest against slavery as often as
the opportunity offered brought matters to an
open issue Those present who sympathized
with slavery took offense. After public service
over the small minority who supported the
stand taken by the preacher, remained with him,
and it was then and there resolved to organize a
separate church Measures were taken ac-
cordlngy, and tho result was as stated
above The now organization as
sumed the narie of Emancipating
| Baptists' Friends of Humanity. Such is the his
| torieal fact. AS thus constituted, the Bethel
/ Church was thoroughly anti-slavery. Its prin.
cirles in this respect decidedly and strongly
expressed. No STAKEHOLDER could be admitted
| except on terms which implied his Remuneration
of the principles of slavery and it disclaimed fel
| lowship with all those who sympathized with
! slavery. Such was the bold experiment upon